Vacancy Announcement
Head, International Personnel Services Section, P-4
HQ Amman, Jordan
Deadline for Applications
8 May 2019
(24 April 2019 for internal applicants)
Duration
2 years, with the possibility of further extension
Vacancy Announcement Number
19-HQ-AM-22
UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified women.
UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.
UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed professionals wishing to make a change.
UNRWA’s strategic objectives
The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. In line with this mission, the Agency works towards five strategic outcomes: (a) Palestine refugee rights under international law are protected and promoted; (b) Palestine refugee health is protected and disease burden is reduced; (c) school-age children complete quality, equitable and inclusive basic education; (d) Palestine refugee capabilities are strengthened for increased livelihood opportunities; and (e) Palestine refugees are able to meet their basic human needs of food, shelter and environmental health. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions.
Do you want to make a lasting difference?
If you are passionate about making a lasting difference for Palestine refugees, in this role you will be responsible for leading and managing the administration of all international staff entitlements and payroll. You will also be responsible for the administration of staff entitlements and benefits, policy implementation, health insurance and general advice regarding international staff Agency-wide.
The main responsibilities include:
 Managing the International Personnel Section (IPS) team ensuring timely responses to all
requests of personnel issues, providing coaching, mentoring and training to section staff
members; planning, developing reviewing and implementing internal management
processes for the improvement of services provided;
 Leading and evaluating the implementation of all entitlements, allowances and benefits
for international staff; reviewing, certifying and authorizing all entitlements and related
actions through REACH payroll module; supervising international staffing table through
post management of encumbered and vacant posts and advising the Chief, Human
Resources Operational Services Division (CHROSD) of any implications of vacant post
usage;
 Advising CHROSD and senior management on the interpretation and application of
international staff policies; researching, drafting and implementing changes to staff
regulations, rules and related issuances for international staff, in coordination with Senior
Human Resources Policy Officer; participating in policy reviews and formulation of
procedures to improve human resources services in the Area of Operations;
 Managing and monitoring end to end administration of entitlements; in close coordination
with Human Resources Policies and Development Division (HRPDD) interpreting, verifying
and implementing the ICSC pay package in a timely and accurate manner;
 Serving as the Agency focal point for UNJSPF; administering the group medical and life
insurance plans in effect for international staff, including the resolution of all claims and
disputes with the insurance companies;
 Leading and overseeing Performance Management System (PMS) for international staff,
and coordinating with responsible offices to ensure compliance with PMS policies and
guidelines;
 Participating in human resources projects, task forces, committees and meetings related
to international staff administration and providing advice and recommendations.
Conditions of service
UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at $72,637
net tax free with post adjustment of 45.6% (subject to change without notice). All UNRWA duty
stations (with the exception of Gaza and Syria) are family duty stations. Other benefits, subject
to eligibility, include:
 Dependency allowances
 Rental subsidy
 Education grant for children
 Home leave travel
 6 weeks (30 working days) annual leave
 Pension fund entitlements under the
UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
 International health insurance; optional
life insurance
 Disability protection
Additional information
The incumbent might be required to travel in the Agency’s area of operations.
To qualify for this position, you will need:
Education An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an
accredited educational institution in public or business administration,
human resources management, or any other related field; a first-level
university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying
experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Work
experience
A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible and relevant
experience in the application of the knowledge acquired above with at
least three years at a supervisory level in a large international,
governmental or commercial organization, specifically in Human
Resources Management involving benefits and contract administration,
including two years of work experience at international level outside one’s
home country.
Language(s) Excellent command of spoken and written English.
Who we are
For almost 70 years, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) has
been working on the ground in five fields of operations in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank
and the Gaza Strip providing direct assistance and protection for some 5 million Palestine
refugees in the Middle East. UNRWA is mandated by the UN General Assembly to provide this
assistance and its mission is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human
development until there is a just and lasting solution for their plight. UNRWA restores safety,
dignity and hope to millions who have been uprooted by conflict with services encompassing
education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement,
microfinance and emergency assistance.
For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/
Desirable qualifications
 Detailed knowledge of UN and UNRWA Regulations, Rules and Directives, and of the
sources from which they are compiled;
 Working knowledge and experience of the Agency’s operations in the Middle East, and
knowledge of Middle Eastern culture.
You will also need to demonstrate the following competencies:
 Proven ability in the development and maintenance of effective internal and external
work relationships at all levels and in gaining trust and confidence of clients;
 Excellent skills in managing and organizing self and others;
 Ability to negotiate persuasively on a range of issues;
 Proven integrity in dealing with confidential issues;
 Excellent counseling skills;
 Demonstrated openness in sharing knowledge and information with team members and
keeping staff informed on relevant developments;
 Ability to negotiate persuasively a range of problems, including sensitive, complex and
contentious issues and to advise staff on different options to meet their needs;
 Ability to introduce new ideas and to seek creative and innovative solutions;
 Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing in a multicultural
environment with sensitivity and respect for gender and diversity;
 Proven ability to conduct research in HR matters.
For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews:
https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI
How to apply
To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by
creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA Personal History Form. Only applications
received through http://jobs.unrwa.org will be considered. Due to the large number of
applications received for UNRWA vacancies, only applicants short-listed for interview will be
contacted. The United Nations does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment
process. The United Nations does not concern itself with information related to bank
accounts.
General information
UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and
impartiality at all times. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity,
and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and
unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. UNRWA is a
non-smoking work environment.
The Agency reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower
grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.